Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, also known as “Raygun,” found herself at the centre of an unexpected whirlwind following her Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games. Representing Team Australia in breaking, a new Olympic sport, Gunn faced stiff competition and unfortunately did not advance past the round-robin stage. However, what should have been a moment of pride for breakingโs debut quickly turned sour as memes and misinformation spread like wildfire online, falsely accusing Gunn of manipulating her way into the Olympics.
Gunn took to Instagram to address the backlash, expressing her shock and disappointment over the baseless accusations that had been circulating. In her heartfelt message, she emphasised her dedication to the sport and the rigorous effort she put into her Olympic journey. She also urged her critics to cease harassing her family, friends and the broader breaking community. “I went out there and I had fun,” Gunn said, reminding everyone that the Olympics, while competitive, should also be about the joy of representing oneโs country on the world stage.
The allegations against Gunn, which included claims that she manipulated the selection process and that her husband, Samuel Free, had judged her qualifying event, were debunked by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and AUSBreaking. Both organisations, along with the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), confirmed that Gunnโs qualification was legitimate and followed all the proper procedures. AOC CEO Matt Carroll slammed the petition that fueled the controversy, calling it “appalling” and reaffirming support for Gunn.
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